My most recent employer was based in Goleta, California.  You may have never heard of this town but I'm sure you've heard of its neighbour, Santa Barbara.  Recently, I attended a training session at the corporate office that lasted eight days.  This kept me in the area over the weekend and gave the chance to see a National Park I haven't been to before- The Channel Islands.  I only had time to hit one island and chose Santa Cruz.  It was beautiful!
California has had record rainfall.  This has made everything so green it currently resembles Ireland, no kidding!  
To access these islands you must take a boat, which I love to do.  Any day on a boat is a good day in my book. 

Another day I drove the loop behind Santa Barbara through wine country.  No wine was involved but a few more hikes and overlooks are documented in the pics below.  

Take a look at the slide show below in your browser- the captions tell the story.  

Oh, and for those of you wondering... I am returning to BD as the Alaris Sales Training/Process Manager so look out BD peeps, you will be seeing me soon in sunny San Diego!

Many of you know I love Rockaway Beach, OR.  No surprises there...

The beach is always full of surprises... the weather, the ocean, the locals and more.  Today found me with a huge smile as I looked down the beach and thought I saw the ugliest dog ever.  As Mom and I walked and we caught up to the couple with their animal on a lead we realised it was a billy goat!  

​You always hear that there is a first time for everything- this was certainly a first!

Stay tuned for more fun blogs highlighting my time back in the USA!  Just thought this was the perfect kick off.
                                                         Cheers!